Addressing-machine.



Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

l ump/ n. I; 4| :al lll'llll I E. G. ERNST. ADDRESSING MACHINE.

APPLXCATION FILED MAR. 24, 1910.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD G. ERNST, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

ADDRESSING-MACHINE.

To all whom. it may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD G. ERNST, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Addressing-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in printing machines which are organized for the primary purpose of adapting them to print circular letters resembling type written letters.

The object is to provide such machines with means whereby the names and addresses of parties, to whom such letters are to be sent, are printed on the sheets at the same time the letters are printed thereon. Also to provide such machines with means whereby the same names and addresses may be printed in like order upon the envelope in which said circular letters are to be inclosed.

The invention is shown in the drawings applied to such a machine of familiar type.

The invention relates entirely to means by which, as a printing machine is operated, address bearing slugs are carried successively into proper printing relation to the letter form so as to be printed with itby the printing machine; and also to the means by which said slugs will be successively moved into another positio; where the machine may print said address on an envelop.

The invention embodied in the best form now known to me is hereinafter described and definitely pointed out in the appended claims, and is shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure I is a plan view of a machine embodying this invention, partly broken away and showing sections of the frame on the lines 11 of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the machine on the plane of line 22 of Fig. 1.. The impression roller, however, is shown movedto a different position along the bed and above the address slug. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the plane of the lines 3-3 of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. tis an enlarged section showing the left hand end of the slide R and a portion of its guideways. Fig. 5 is a similar view of a portion of the guideways near the right hand end thereof, showing the drop in the guides just beyond their printing position. Fig. 6 is an elevation on Specification of Letters Patent.

thereon a sheet. of paper laid upon it.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

Application filed March 24, 1910. Serial No. 551,246.

enlarged scale of the left end of the elevated platform or guideway upon which the slugs are supported and moved along, a slug being shown thereon. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the chain trigger which engages and moves the reciprocating cable attached to the reciprocating slide B. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the address slugs.

The printing machine includes a base A and two side frame members B, B, fixed thereto, a bed C, preferably horizontal, on which the type form may be secured, which bed may be vertically adjustable, as, for'example, through resting on cams f fixed to two rock shafts F,said shafts being each provided with an arm 7", and said arms being connected by a link F. A crank f on projecting end of one shaft F, Figs. 1 and 2, admits of adjustment by hand. Two chain belts E, E lie respectively close inside the two frame members B, B. At one end of the machine these two chain belts run over sprocket wheels g mounted on stud bearing pins 9* on the inner faces of the two frame members; and at the other end of the machine these two chain'belts run over two sprocket wheels g fixed to a shaft G. An impression roller I is mounted in bearings secured to these two chains, and on its shaft just inside the chains are guide rollers 2', 2', which in the upper traverse of the roller ride upon guide rails I, I suitably supported from the side frame B and beneath the overhanging top flanges b? of said frames? See Figs. 2 and 3. A crank J is mounted in one of the side members B of the frame, and has a gear j engaging with a gear 9 secured to shaft G. lVhen the crank shaft is turned in the proper direction, both chains are caused to move in the direction shown by tharrows on Figs. 1 and 2, and they carry the roller I which is thereby moved over the bed so as to press down upon the type form In its return movement this roller passes beneath the bed. Commonly an inking ribbon is placed between the type form and the paper so that the letter, printed with the machine described, shall resemble typewritten letters, but that is not involved in this invention and is therefore omitted from the drawing.

The machine as so far described is old;

to be understood. however. that the invention is not limited-to use ii connection with this particular machine. I V

The names and addresses of the parties to whom circular letters are tof'be sent are on the top surfaces of the address slugsQ. Each slug is provided with depending legs g located preferably near the four corners thereof; and it also has :1 depending lug g which may be located in any suitable position. but is preferably placed nearone end of the slug andabout midway between'the sides thereof. These slugs-are piled one upon another in a hopper H: which is supported on the overhanging end of a trans: verse barC which forms an elevated platform across the bed. The bottom slug is supportedby this extension of the bar C; and the lower edge of the inner wall of the hopper is at such distance above the'surface of this bar that the bottom slug, and that only, may be pushed alongsaid bar, out of the hopper. l i

In the top surface oftlie platform bar are two guide grooves c which extend transversely across the bed in a direction parallel with the type lines inthe type form secured to the bed. The characters on these slugs are to be printed when the letters are printed, and thereforethe printing surfaces of the type and slugs must beinv the same plane. The slugs are made as thin as circumstances will permit, having in mind the use to which they are to be put. The mav chine is organized to use type of: the ordinary sortas toheight. Therefore vthe part of the-platform bar lyingacross thebed on which these slugs rest and move is in a planeabove the topof the bed on which the type form is secured. The guide grooves 0 arein this raised surface. liBelow this platform top is a recess. 0 --whichserves as a guideway for a reciprocating slide R Through this platform top is a slot 0 leading to this re.-

cess c,this slot being parallel with the guide grooves c and in such position that the lug q of the slug Q.:.willbe alined with it when-said slug is'resting on said platform with its legs Q projecting into the guide grooves c." This slide R is reciprocatedto andffro in the guide recess 0 by suit-" able mechanism to be presently described. It carries a bent finger lever T which, when the slide is moving in the direction which carries it away from the hopper, will project its finger up into or through the slot 0 to a point where itwill engage with the lug (1' on the bottom slug, and will thereby move said slugout of the hopper" and along-the platform to the desired position relative to the type form D. Then this slide moves in the reverse direction, this lever is drawn downward so that its finger may pass the bottom slug'in the 1101) Mar, and then it 'flies'upinto the position rst de scribed so that whenagainmoved in the first named direction" the finger [will again carry tlie bottoni slug out of the "hopper and along said platform.

position shown in'Fig. 4. A trip lever-S is p A spring 6 normally j holds this finger lever T in the operative pivoted to the finger lever T, and extends downward alongside of the-same and pro-'- ects below it, being normally held against V finger lever T by a light springs.

On the bed C at the bottom of the recess 0 is a short 'triprail 0*. lVhen tlieslide i is moving away from the hopper,-;"push1ng=' "the bottom slug out of the hopper andv along the platform this trip lever hitsthe end (if-: 0 said rail and is" swung to the left-as shown'ipi by dotted lines in Fig. 4;] This swinging of the trip lever does not effect the position of the finger lever T. henthe slide'R- has,

carried the trip levers pastthectrip" rail rocked and in so rocking it rock's lever T so P111116 low the lug g" on the slug resting 1;,"

on the platform. The finger of the lever Ti j i i therefore passes'under theibottomjsluglin i the hopper. vThentlie lever Spasses the end of the trip rail 0 and springs}; .and't return the levers S and T to their positionsshown,

by full lines in Fig. 4. ,It is evident, therefore, that during each complete ino\'*emen t.,.l

of the slide R the bottom slug will bedrawn form, and. leftv there; whereupon the slide;

, .7 fromthe hopperand moved along to the p0 V sition it should occnpyrelativeto; tl etype i If the invention-is, as preferably should i once on an envelop, the slideHRj-Will carry be, so constructed.as to enable-each slug to/ be printed twice, .once on.the letteigand;

lever T- and :Inove it in the manner ..cle scribed. The function of thissecond, finger :7-

lever T is to-move the slug from-the, posia tion itoccupieswhen it is printed as a part; i

of the lctter,-along',said platform to a posi 11201; tion where it may be printed on an'envelop.

As the machine shown is organizedthis latter movement from one;printing'position to between the finger levers on the slide Rgis" the hopper to' the firstprinting position;

, therefore made shorter thanthe distance)" i \VlllClIthQ slug has to move in go ng froni p During said slide R as a part of part of the movement of ug which has been printed er is not moved; but very soon the iii er T engages with this slug and th I both sings are moved simultanetmsl; by the two finger levers T and an l both carried to the required positionsis to say. the one drawn from the hopper is moved to the position required relaive to the type form, and the other slug is carried to a position where it may conveniently be used for printing an envelop. It will be understood that one passage of the impression roller I over the bed will print both of said slugs, the one on the letter, and the other on the envelop.

It will also be understood that the slug used to head or address a letter on one pass of the impression roll I is next used to address an envelop for that letter on the next pass of the impression roll when another letter having a different address is being printed. In other words. when a letter is beingprinted an envelop is also being printed with an address to correspond with that of the next preceding letter.

The top surface platform on which the slugs rest is depressed at just to the right of the position in which the slug is placed for printing an envelop. See Figs. 3 and 5. \Vhen, therefore. the next slug is moved along to the envelop printing position. it will push the slug in that position to the right and onto the depressed surface of said platform. This surface is depressed only just a little. but enough to prevent a slug resting upon this surface from being printed when the impression roller moves over the bed. This depressed part of the platform is extended as far as desired to the right and each slug. as it reaches the envelop rinting position. pushes the other slugs in advance of it until one by one the v are pushed from said platform.

The described mechanism employed to move the slugs is connected with the impression roller so that as the latter is moved the slide it will also move as described. A cable M is fixed at its ends to the ends of the slide. R, and said cable runs over guide sheaves X supported by the bed; and one stretch of this cable is parallel and close to the right-side frame member B. To this stretch of the cable a bar 0 is fixed. which bar extends both above and below said cable. ()n the lower end of this bar is a guide foot which carries friction rollers.said foot entering a groove in a rib 7) projecting from the frame member B. and the rollers passing behind flanges 7) which overhang said groove.

A trigger l is pivoted to one link of the chain belt it. This trigger a bell crank lever. the inner arm p of which is turned down so as to project into the plane of the upper end of the bar 0, in which position it is held bv the engagement of the other arm 7) of said trigger with the inner face of the frame member B. It will be understood that in the operation of the machine the chain belts move in the direction indicated bv the arrows on Figs. 1 and 2. The trigger is secured to the chain belt E in such position that af'er the roller T has moved across the form to print the same on a paper, this trigger, when on the upper stretch of the chain, will come against the arm 0 and will move it and the cable Hand the slide R the required distance. This will bring the arm 72 of the trigger opposite a recess 7/ in the inner face of the frame member B near its upper edge, which will permit the trigger to swing back, and its pendent end thereby release and pass the bar 0. It is during this movement of the slide R that the slugs are moved from one position to another as described. When the trigger is carried by the lower stretch of the chain belt in the reverse direction. beneath the plane of the bed, the trigger arm p will, by engaging with the inner face of the frame member B. move the trigger arm 1) to and will hold it in position for again engaging bar 0; whereb} the cable M and slide R will be moved in the reverse direction the required distance. Then the trigger arm p, in the lower stretch of the chain. comes opposite another recess 1') in the inner face of the frame member l3 near its lower edge. which allows the trigger to swing and release the bar 0.

Having described my invention. 1 claim:

1. in a printing machine, the combination of a substantiallv horizontal type supporting bed having a transverse guide groove, a slug hopper fixed over the grooved part of said bed and adapted to hold a stack of address slugs. reciprocating mechanism for withdrawing the lowest slug from said hopper and moving it horizontally across said bed to a definite printing position and leav ing it there for a time. and for subsequently reengaging and moving the same slug still farther across said bed and off the same.

2. In a printing machine, the combination of a substantially horizontal type supporting bed having a transverse guide groove, a slug hopper fixed over the grooved part of said bed. and mechanism for moving the lowest slug in said hopper out of the hopper and transversely of the bed to .a definite printing position and leaving it there for a time. and for subsequently rei ngaging and. moving the same slug a farther distance across said bed to another definite printing position and leaving it there for a time. and for subsequently moving said slug farther across the bed to an inoperative position.

3. In a printing machine, the combination of a substantially horizontal type supporting bed having a transverse slug guide, a

slug hopper fixed to said bed at one side thereof over said guide, a device supported by said bed and movable to and fro across the same and adapted, when moving in one direction to withdraw the lowest slug from said hopper, and to move it horizontally along said guide, animpression roller movable over the bed, and mechanism intermediate of said impression roller and slug moving device for compelling their synchronous movement.

4. In a printing machine, the combination of a type supporting bed, a slug hopper fixed to and located above said bed near one side thereof, a slide supported upon said bed and movable crosswise thereof, a cable fixed at its ends to theends of said slide,-

guide sheaves supported by the bed over which said cable runs, an impression roller movable above the bed and lengthwise thereof, mechanism intermediate of said impression roller andvsaid cable, whereby theyare connected at intervals to move said slide, a

a movable slug engaging device carried by said slide, and means for holding said device in a slug engaging position and for releasing 1t therefrom substantially vas specified.

5. In a printing machine, the combination of a type supporting bed, a slug hopper fixed to said bed, aslide supported by the bed and movableto and fro crosswise of the same, a 'tripable lever carried by said slide, a trip rail, means-for holding said lever in operative position to engagethe slugs while the slide is moving in: one direction over said trip rail, and means cooperating with said trlp rail for withdraw ng the lever from said operative position when the slide is moving in the contrary direction. a

6; In a printing machine, the combination of a bed having a transverseguideway, a

surfaceabove said guideway in which is aguide groove, and through whichsurface is a parallel slot, a hopper fixed above the grooved and slotted part of said bed, a slide moving in said guideway, Ia finger lever pivoted to" said slide,,a spring-normally holding said finger lever ina position where its end will project into the slot in the bed, a trip lever pivoted to the finger 1ever,.a trip tion and for releasing it from that position as required. meansfor causing said slide to i move toand fro in its guide-way, and a slug I I holding hopper fixed above the groove'and slotted part of said platform. 8. In a printing machine, the c of a bed havmgiatransverse guideway, a

surface above said guideway in which is'a ombination guide groove and through which surface is Y I aparallel slot, a hopper fixed above the grooved and slot-ted part of said bed; a slide moving in' said guideway, a finger lever 'pivv I oted to said slide, a spring normally holding j said lever in a position where its end will project into said slot in'the bed, a trip lever pivoted to the finger lever, a trip rail below J the trip lever, a cable fixed to the ends of to said cable, a belt arranged with one a position for engaging with'said arm and "for releasing it from said position;

9. Ina printmg maclnne,the combination Q a of a bed having a transverse guide groove, two endless belts which run over *and under said bed near the side edges thereof, and an impression roller extendedtransversely of said bed and mounted in bearings fixed to said two belts, a slug holding hopper fixed I over the grooved part of said bed, slug moving means supported by said bed, and means}- carried by one of said endless belts for-,mov-- .ing the slug moving means. I

said slide, guide sheaves fixed to the bed i and over which said cable runs, an'a'rin'fixed f stretch above the other and with bothstretches parallel with the stretch of the v cable to which said arm is fixed, atri ger carried by said belt, means for holding it in 10. In aprinting machine, the combiner" 7 tion ofa frame having two side members, 5 7' 0 side members, wheels mounted on said side 1 members, two endless belts located just in-ji-H;

a type supporting bed located between said side said side members and running ,over i said wheels, and an impression roller-mount 1 ed in bearings fixed to said belts, a hopper fixed over the bedand adapted to containastack of address slugs,'means for movingthe lowest slug in said hopper out of; the, same and transversely upon saidbed, and a? trigger carried by one of said belts and adapted to engage with, said slug moving nieans to operate thesame', andmea'ns for holding said trigger in operative position;

and for releasing it as required.

7 11. In a printing machine, thecombina} tion of a bed adapted to support a typel form and having a transversely extended guide groove inits top surface, a guideway below saldsurface and a slot throughsaidi surface communicating with said guideway, i

a slide movable in said guideway, mechanlsm formoving it to and fro therein,=fand ,j

two levers pivoted to said slide, means indeposlti'on so thatithe'ir upper ends will propendently holding said levers in operative ject into said slot, a trip lever associated with each of said levers, tvvo trip rails With which said trip levers are adapted to severally engage, and a slug holding hopper fixed to the bed above the grooved and slotted part thereof.

12. In a printing machine, a support having a type form thereon, a rotatable impression roller adapted to move bodily over the type form and in co-aetion With the printing tare thereof, a magazine adapted to contain a plurality of separate and unconnected address plates, and cooperating means for actuating the impression roller and for moving the address plates from the magazine to printing position.

13. In an addressing machine, the combi nation of a bed, an impression roller adapted to bodily travel thereover, a magazine adapted to contain a plurality of separate and unconnected address plates, and (:0- operating means for actuating the impression roller and for moving the address plates from the magazine into printing position in a direction transverse to the path of travel of said impression roller.

ll. In a printing and addressing machine, the combination of a bed having a type tor-iii, an in'ipression roller adapted to bodily travel theroover, a magazine adapted to contain plurality of separate and uncoiinec red address plates, a guithnvav ex- .d ot the magazine across pending actuating means for both actuating the roller and for successively feeding the address plates from the magazine along the guidevvav to printlng position.

15. In a printing and addressing machine, the combination of a bed having a type form, an impression roller adapted to bodily travel thereover, a magazine adapted to contain a plurality of separate and unconnected address plates, means for actuating the impression roller, and feeding means acting in conjunction with the rolleractuating means adapted to successively move the address plates from the magazine to a definite position with referent-e to said type form. and thence beyond said position.

16. In a printing and addressing machine, the combination of a bed having a tvpe form, an IIIIPI'QSSIOH roller adapted to bodily travel thereover, a magazine adapt ed to contain a plurality of separate and unconnected address plates, a guidewav extending from the magazine across the bed, means for actuating the impression roller, and means for feeding address plates from the magazine along said guidewav to two successive separate printing positions, and thence from said giiidevvav.

In testimon whereof, I hereunto aliix mv signature in the presence ot two witnesses. i EDWARD G. ERNST.

lvitnesses H. It. Serums, A. I. Kvvis. 

